FullReads

“‘Ah, Miss Merry never ran away from me! She knew my heels were to be trusted, and she let me caper as I would, glad to see me lively. Never mind, Miss Belinda, come out and I’ll be sober, as befits my years,’ laughed Rosa, composing herself, and adding, so like a woman that I could not help smiling in the dark,–

“‘When I say “years” I beg you to understand that I am not as old as that base man declared, but just in the prime of life for a horse. Hard usage has made me seem old before my time, and I am good for years of service yet.’

“‘Few people have been through as much as you have, Rosa, and you certainly have earned the right to rest,’ I said consolingly, for her little whims and vanities amused me much.

“‘You know what happened next,’ she continued; ‘but I must seize this opportunity to express my thanks for all the kindness I’ve received since Miss Merry bought me, in spite of the ridicule and dissuasion of all her friends.

“‘I know I didn’t look like a good bargain, for I was very thin and lame and shabby; but she saw and loved the willing spirit in me, pitied my hard lot, and felt that it would be a good deed to buy me even if she never got much work out of me.

“‘I shall always remember that, and whatever happens to me hereafter, I never shall be as proud again as I was the day she put my new saddle and bridle on, and I was led out, sleek, plump, and handsome, with blue rosettes at my ears, my tail cut in the English style, and on my back Miss Merry in her London hat and habit, all ready to head a cavalcade of eighteen horsemen and horsewomen. We were the most perfect pair of all, and when the troop caracoled down the wide street six abreast, my head was the highest, my rider the straightest, and our two hearts the friendliest in all the goodly company.

“‘Nor is it pride and love alone that binds me to her, it is gratitude as well, for did not she often bathe my feet herself, rub me down, water me, blanket me, and daily come to see me when I was here alone for weeks in the winter time? Didn’t she study horses’ feet and shoes, that I might be cured if possible? Didn’t she write to the famous friend of my race for advice, and drive me seven miles to get a good smith to shoe me well? Have not my poor contracted feet grown much better, thanks to the weeks of rest without shoes which she gave me? Am I not fat and handsome, and, barring the stiff knees, a very presentable horse? If I am, it is all owing to her; and for that reason I want to live and die in her service.

“‘She doesn’t want to sell me, and only bade you do it because you didn’t want the care of me while she is gone. Dear Miss Belinda, please keep me! I’ll eat as little as I can. I won’t ask for a new blanket, though your old army one is very thin and shabby. I’ll trot for you all winter, and try not to show it if I am lame. I’ll do anything a horse can, no matter how humble, to earn my living, only don’t, pray don’t send me away among strangers who have neither interest nor pity for me!’

“Rosa had spoken rapidly, feeling that her plea must be made now or never, for before another Christmas she might be far away and speech of no use to win her wish. I was much touched, though she was only a horse; for she was looking earnestly at me as she spoke, and made the last words very eloquent by preparing to bend her stiff knees and lie down at my feet. I stopped her, and answered, with an arm about her neck and her soft nose in my hand,–